Prof Zander Myburg

Academic Staff
Forest Molecular Genetics

Research Interests

My research programme (Forest Molecular Genetics, FMG) focuses on on the molecular genetics and genomics of wood formation (xylogenesis) in fast-growing plantation tree species. This process is fundamental to carbon fixation in woody plants and to the pulp and paper manufacturing processes of our industrial partners, Sappi and Mondi. We are addressing important scientific questions such as the genetic control of carbon allocation into cellulose, hemi-cellulose and lignin, the major biopolymers in wood fibre. As an example, we have isolated the cellulose synthase (CesA) genes of Eucalyptus trees, as well as the promoters and transcription factors that drive tissue-specific expression of these genes. Although cellulose is the most abundant biopolymer on earth, little is known about the genetic regulation of its biosynthesis in plants. Several FMG student projects are focused on the transcriptional regulation of CesA genes and secondary cell wall formation in general. We are also currently hosting the International Eucalyptus Genome Network (EUCAGEN, www.eucagen.org) and we are lead participants in the US Department of Energy (DOE) funded Eucalyptus Genome Project. As a contribution to this project, we recently used next-generation DNA sequencing technology to produce the first transcriptome sequence (more than 18,800 expressed genes) of a fast-growing Eucalyptus plantation tree in South Africa (http://eucspresso.bi.up.ac.za/). 

Current Activities, Collaborations and Funding

As part of our ongoing work on the molecular genetics of xylem development in Eucalyptus trees, we are using a range of molecular biology and genomics technologies for (A) Gene discovery and functional genetics research (e.g. nextgen-transcriptome sequencing, microarray analysis, gene cloning, vector construction and plant transformation), (B) Population genomics research (genome and transcriptome mapping), and (C) the Development of molecular breeding tools (e.g. DArT, SSR and SNP markers) for the genetic improvement of trees. We have several active international collaborations. For example, we collaborate with Prof. Shawn Mansfield at the University of British Columbia (Vancouver, Canada) to study the molecular biology of carbon allocation in fibre cell walls. These collaborations allow us to send M.Sc. and Ph.D. students overseas for short periods (typically six weeks to three months) to work on collaborative projects. We are also actively involved in the Eucalyptus Genome Project and have in the past three years worked with the local Bioinformatics and Computational Biology Unit (Prof. Fourie Joubert) to develop bioinformatics capacity for high-throughput genomics. Most of the research activities in the FMG programme are funded as part of a joint research venture of the University of Pretoria, Sappi and Mondi which allows us to offer financial support to postgraduate students. Additional support is provided by grants from the Technology and Human Resources for Industry Programme (THRIP) and the National Research Foundation (NRF) of South Africa..

Research Group

The FMG Laboratory will in 2009 consist of four PhD and four MSc students. We usually host one or two BSc (Hons) students (in Genetics, Plant Biotechnology or Bioinformatics) who work on industry-funded research projects, commonly side-by-side with an MSc or PhD student. We also have five industry-funded Research Technicians, and one part-time Financial Officer. Six part-time undergraduate assistants are employed on industry funds.

Qualifications

BSc BSc (Hons) (UOFS) MSc (UOFS)
PhD (North Carolina State University)

 

Teaching

FABI

 Publications

I have 27 publications. Click the button to view them.

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